MARINE SCIENCE CAMP: STUDENT INSTITUTE FOR MARINE SCIENCE

Summer Institute for Marine Science Camp at Rookery Bay Research Reserve

Half-Day Marine Science Summer Camp

$75 | Grades 7-10 | Half-day Camp
Be a Marine Scientist this summer with Rookery Bay Research Reserve! Join us for a perfect half-day marine science camp for 7th to 10th grade students who want to get hands-on with marine life and learn from real scientists. This flexible camp is filled with nature and science activities including time in Rookery Bay’s labs. Discover the birds, sharks, sea turtles and other amazing wildlife that call Rookery Bay’s amazing coastal habitat home. Each camp day will have a unique experience including lab programs in shark research, plankton and water quality, birding basics and much more.  Every camp day will also include a look at the mission and wildlife conservation efforts of Rookery Bay and exposure to the research and monitoring of the coastal estuary environment.

Join us for all themes and locations!

Individual Registration Required

Environmental Learning Center

300 Tower Rd Naples, FL 34113
Behind the Scenes at Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center | Invertebrate Investigation at Rookery Bay | Summer Institute for Marine Science Camp

Invertebrate Investigation

Join staff in the lab for an exciting exploration of invertebrates to learn about their amazing adaptations. Students will use microscopes to take an in-depth look at some of our smallest estuary inhabitants: plankton!

Available Dates: 
July 18, 2025

Behind the Scenes of the Reserve

Explore the Reserve and the wildlife that calls it home. See where our research takes place, learn about the work that is being done to monitor our estuary, and complete a scientific study of your own!

Available Dates:
June 13, 2025
August 1, 2025

Tigertail Beach

430 Hernando Dr. Marco Island, FL 34145
Summer Institute for Marine Science Camp at Rookery Bay Research Reserve | Tigertail Beach

Sleuthing the Lagoon

Ever wonder what it’s like to be an animal living in an estuary? Experience their unique habitat by surveying fish with an ancient collection method, scooping crabs and worms out of sand, and observing birds wading through water.

Available Dates:
June 27, 2025
July 11, 2025

Shell Island Road Field Station

10 Shell Island Road Naples FL, 34113
Summer Institute for Marine Science Camp at Rookery Bay Research Reserve | Field Station on Shell Island Road

Biology on Bike

Explore our uplands on bicycle! Learn to identify plants and animals and how we collect scientific data at the Reserve. (Bikes sponsored by Island Bike Shop)

Available Dates:
June 20, 2025
July 25, 2025

Even more fun at Rookery Bay!

A visit to Rookery Bay has so much fun in store for Kids & Families. Visit our Environmental Learning Center, Explore Rookery Bay with Nature Tours by Boat & Kayak, or take in a lecture.

Student Institute for Marine Science

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Information

Be a Marine Scientist this summer with Rookery Bay Research Reserve! Join us for a perfect half-day marine science camp for 7th to 10th grade students who want to get hands-on with marine life and learn from real scientists.

This flexible camp is filled with nature and science activities including time in Rookery Bay’s labs. Discover the birds, sharks, sea turtles and other amazing wildlife that call Rookery Bay’s amazing coastal habitat home.

Each camp day will have a unique experience including lab programs in shark research, plankton and water quality, birding basics and much more. Every camp day will also include a look at the mission and wildlife conservation efforts of Rookery Bay and exposure to the research and monitoring of the coastal estuary environment.

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Materials

Bring your own refillable water bottle. Snacks/lunch are encouraged but optional. Proper field clothes and close-toed shoes required. All equipment will be provided.

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Time

Drop Off – 8:30am – 9:00am
Camp – 9:00am – 12:30 pm
Pickup – 12:30pm

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Fees

$75 per student per day
$25 for a long-sleeve outdoor performance t-shirt*

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Thank You!

This program was made possible with funding support from the Friends of Rookery Bay, Friends of Tigertail Beach and Island Bike Shop.

Explore with Us!

Guided Boat Tours

Discover Rookery Bay’s extraordinary wildlife on one of our naturalist guided kayak tours. Two-hour guided kayak tours let you explore backwater bays and mangrove forests and provide opportunities to see wildlife such as wading birds, osprey, fish and dolphins.